It’s about time for a holiday in Africa and we’ve got all the latest updates for you.
Namibia
Namibia is open for international travel. Hooray! As from 1 September 2020, the country opened under the Tourism Revival Initiative. For now, travel is only by entry into Namibia via International Airports and certain land borders with no mandatory quarantine.
Requirements:
All travellers must have a certified negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result to present on entry. The test should not be older than 72 hours (from the time the test sample was taken) from country of departure. On this basis, travellers will be permitted to proceed to their final destination in Namibia. *Non-Namibians may enter the country with either a negative PCR result (as above) or with a de-isolation certificate without being subjected to further testing or quarantine. (This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 5 years) (All travellers who arrive in Namibia with a negative COVID-19 test result that is older than 72 hours, will be placed in mandatory quarantine for 7 days and tested for COVID-19 (at own cost). Once a negative test result is received, travellers will be released from quarantine. If positive, isolation is at own cost according to isolation protocols in place.)
All travellers entering Namibia are required to sign up and register their COVID test results via the online AU Trusted Travel System or the Global Haven System on entry into the country via international airports and road border posts. As from 1 December 2021 this will be a prerequisite for entry into and exit from Namibia (depending on the requirements of the destination country.)
All travellers coming from or transiting through hotspot regions are required to repeat the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test 7 days after arrival in Namibia.
Tourists will have to complete a primary surveillance form and a health questionnaire to be submitted with their full travel itinerary on arrival at the airport.
All travellers must provide a relevant contact number on arrival that guests can be contacted on whilst in country with regards to contact tracing and COVID-19 related information.
Tourists must have private travel insurance to cover medical care or an unexpected hotel stay.
Only NTB (Namibia Tourism Board) registered accommodation will be considered given they have also been health certified accordingly and comply with safety guidelines and protocols.
Returning Namibian citizens or Permanent Residents may enter the country without a COVID-19 PCR test result if they are fully vaccinated. This is subject to presentation of a valid vaccine passport. All others must provide a negative PCR test result valid within 72 hours.
Restrictions:
Arrival is only allowed into Windhoek International Airport (HKIA) and Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB) as well as Walvis Bay Harbour. - Between Namibia and South Africa - Ariamsvlei/Nakop, Velloorsdrif/ Onseepkans and Noordoewer/ Vioolsdrif - Between Namibia and Botswana - Ngoma, Mohembo, Impalila Island and Buitepos/ Mamuno - Between Namibia and Zambia - Wanela/ Sesheke (Katima Mulilo) All borders between Namibia and Angola are closed
Non-Namibians, who do not present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or valid de-isolation certificate on arrival, will not be granted entry into the country.
Airlines/Scheduled Flights:
Ethiopian Airlines Eurowings Discover Lufthansa SA Airlink TAAG Westair FlyNamibia
South Africa
South Africa’s borders are open for international travel as from 1 October 2020. Numerous international airports are now open along with many of the land borders.
Requirements:
Tourists must present a negative COVID-19 test result (in hard copy) that is less than 72 hours old at the time of departure. This must be a certified test by a medical practitioner with the name and signature of the practitioner indicated.
All tourists must download the COVID Alert South Africa contact tracing mobile app and show proof of a confirmed accommodation booking on arrival.
On arrival at the airport a Traveller Health Questionnaire must be completed and submitted.
Tourists will be screened on arrival at the airport and anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be tested.
Tourists must have private travel insurance to cover medical care or an unexpected hotel stay.
All travellers will be screened on departure from South Africa and must complete a traveller health questionnaire.
Restrictions:
International air travel will be restricted to the following airports: - OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) - King Shaka International Airport (Durban) - Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town) - Lanseria International Airport (Lanseria) - Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit)
Land borders that are currently open (20): - Between SA and Botswana: Kopfontein, Groblersbridge, Skilpadshek andRamathabama - Between SA and Lesotho: Maserubridge, Ficksburg, Van Rooyensgate, Qachasnek,Caledonspoort and Sanipass - Between SA and Kingdom of Eswatini: Oshoek, Golela, Jeppes Reef, Mananga andMahamba - Between SA and Namibia: Nakop and Vioolsdrift - Between SA and Mozambique: Lebombo and Kosibay - Between SA and Zimbabwe: Beitbridge
Mandatory quarantine is not required unless:| - Arriving tourists fail to present a valid and negative COVID-19 PCR test. This quarantine will be at own cost. - Travellers display any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with an infected person. This test will be done at own cost. If this test result is positive, tourists will be subjected to a quarantine period of 10 days, at a specified location for their own cost.
If international flights arrive during the curfew hours of 24:00 to 04:00, arriving passengers will be able to proceed to their hotel or home by showing proof of their boarding passes or flight tickets to law enforcement when en route from the airport.
Airlines/Scheduled Flights:
Ethiopian Airlines Lufthansa Qatar Airways Emirates KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Air France Virgin Atlantic Edelweiss Air
Zambia
Zambia is open for international travel as from July 2020, however there are still only limited flights scheduled into the country.
Requirements:
All tourists must have a certificate as proof of a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, not older than 72 hours valid.
All tourists must present proof of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate for entry into Zambia.
Zambia now uses an online COVID-19 results verification platform as part of the Trusted Travel Program. Only certificates verified on the "Global Haven" system will be valid for entry/exit into Zambia. Click here to register.
All tourists will be screened on arrival. Anyone with a temperature of over 38˚C will have to do a compulsory test on entry. Anyone without fever but with other symptoms will be assessed to determine need for testing. If testing required on entry you will be required to self-quarantine until results are received.
Any guest who has been fully vaccinated and shows proof of vaccination on arrival will not need to undergo mandatory testing on arrival.
Any guests arriving from 'high risk' countries(*list below) are to undergo mandatory testing on arrival. Should the test be negative the traveller may continue, if positive they will have to self-isolate until a PCR test is redone.
On arrival at the airport a Traveller Health Questionnaire must be completed and submitted.
Random testing can and will be conducted for quality assurance purposes on passengers entering with negative test results.
Tourists will have to adhere to COVID-19 prevention measures and monitor themselves for 14 days from arrival for any symptoms. Any occurrences must then be reported to the nearest health facility in-country. If tested positive, tourists will be managed according to the National Case Management Guidelines.
Travellers departing Zambia will only be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate on departure if it is required by the airline or to a country where this is required.
Remote testing is now possible where necessary.
Children under 5 years exempt the above rules.
* Countries currently classified as 'high risk': Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Peru, Maldives, Irag, Costa Rica, Panama, Tunisia, Fiji, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mongolia, Suriname, St. Kitts and Nevis
Restrictions:
None
Airlines/Scheduled Flights:
Ethiopian Airlines RwandAir Kenya Airways Airlink Emirates Proflight Zambia
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is open for international travel as from 1 October 2020, however there are still limited scheduled flights into the country, with most flying into Harare. The good news: Holiday travel is still allowed between 5:30 and 22:00 for inter-city and inter-provincial travel as well as to national parks and tourism facilities. Tourists travelling between destinations will need to provide documentation as proof of bookings. Hotels and lodges are exempt from the mandatory business closures.
Requirements:
All tourists must provide a negative COVID-19 test issued no more than 48 hours before their arrival at the border. To be presented in English.
Zimbabwe now uses an online COVID-19 results verification platform. Only certificates verified on the "Global Haven" system will be valid for entry/exit into Zimbabwe. Click here to register.
All tourists will be screened on arrival. Any tourists showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will have to do a rapid COVID-19 test, at own cost. If tested positive, tourists will be placed in immediate isolation and quarantine for a period of 7 days at their own cost.
Tourists are required to adhere to COVID-19 prevention measures.
On departure from Zimbabwe, all guests are required to provide a negative PCR test result even if their destination does not require one. The same rules apply for arrivals and departures.
Restrictions:
Guests arriving from India will be re-tested on arrival and if positive will be taken to an isolation centre. If negative they will have to go into mandatory quarantine (at own expense) for 10 days from arrival in Zimbabwe.
Land borders are all still closed. This means that movement is only in-country. - Road transfers from Victoria Falls to Kasane and Livingstone are possible. - The Kazangula and Victoria Falls border posts are now open for fully vaccinated tourists to move between Zambia and Zimbabwe. A valid negative COVID-19 test is required. - The Kazangula border post (between Botswana and Zimbabwe) is now open for vaccinated visitors. Guests need only provide proof of vaccination as well as a negative PCR test result, not older than 48 hours. If not vaccinated, it is recommended to fly between Kasane and Victoria Falls using Mack Air charter flights. The vaccination rule applies only to adults (not to children under the age of 18 years).
Airlines/Scheduled Flights:
Ethiopian Airlines Fastjet Air Zimbabwe RwandAir Air Malawi Kenya Airways Emirates Airlink Air Zimbabwe
Botswana
Botswana is open for international travel by air and road borders. Although it started opening up in phases, it is now completely open again.
The best news is that Botswana has now officially launched an online visa application platform. This means that foreign visitors who previously needed to apply for a visa to travel to Bostwana can now do this online. Click here to read more.
Requirements:
All tourists must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test that is no more than 72 hours valid from country of departure. This must be presented in hard copy.
At all Botswana border points, a Rapid Antigen test is required on arrival (free to all incoming passengers including children). All tourists will be screened on arrival for COVID-19 symptoms. Any tourists showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to undertake mandatory testing and possible isolation and/or quarantine.
Tourists will have to fill in a Traveller Locator Form (provided on arrival).
Tourists are required to comply with travel regulations of the destination country at their own expense.
Before departing Botswana, a valid negative COVID-19 test result must be presented, valid 72 hours before departure. This can be done in Maun, Kasane or Gabarone, the day before departing (the test has a 24 hour turnaround time for results) or by “Fly-In” test where a nurse will fly to any lodge in the Okavango Delta to do the testing before the results are then flown to Maun to be processed.
Restrictions:
Most border posts are open: Tlokweng, Martin’s Drift, Pioneer Gate, Ramatlabama, Kazungula Road,Kazungula Ferry, Ngoma, Ramokgwebana, Mamuno, Mohembo, Bokspits, Kasane,Maitengwe, McCarthy’s, Point Drift, Plaatjan and Two Rivers.
The Kazangula border post (between Botswana and Zimbabwe) is now open for vaccinated visitors. Guests need only provide proof of vaccination as well as a negative PCR test result, not older than 48 hours. If not vaccinated, it is recommended to fly between Kasane and Victoria Falls using Mack Air charter flights. The vaccination rule applies only to adults (not to children under the age of 18 years).
Airlines/Scheduled Flights:
Private charter flights SA Airlink Air Botswana Qatar Airways Ethiopian Airlines
NOTE: While the above pertains to the travel requirements by country, it’s important to check with each airline what their specific travel requirements are as well as those in place by your country of residence for your return post travels and for any countries you may travel via in transit.
The above is correct at the time of publishing. We attempt to keep this up to date as and when things change but as these details and requirements change constantly, it is always best to check with the airlines as well as the local diplomatic representative in your country of departure.
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